Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho will learn the fate of his failed drugs test in the next 24 hours.
Sakho is set to appear before UEFA’s disciplinary body in Paris on Thursday after he tested positive for a banned substance following the Europa League win over Manchester United.
Traces of a ‘fat burner’ found in the France international’s sample after the Reds’ last 16 encounter at Old Trafford on March 17.
UEFA suspended Sakho for a provisional period of 30 days, which saw him miss the remaining eight games of Liverpool’s season, as they conducted their investigation.
Anfield officials will be present at Thursday’s hearing but the player’s legal representatives will put forward a case in his defence rather than the club itself.
It is hoped that uncertainty about whether the substance found in the 26-year-old’s system should feature on UEFA’s banned list may offer a potential loophole in his favour.
Should he be found guilty, Sakho could be forced to miss between six months and two years of competitive action which would case